July 7, 2013

Bella Danzaco, one of the student Dance companies at Danza! Performing Arts Academy has recently returned from National Dance Competition. After sweeping the overall categories with a first place win in each category, they entered at Dance Wave regionals, dancers qualified for a bid to nationals.

Each dance also received first place in category for all of their entries in regionals. Soloist Abby Noonan and Mckenna Taylor received a perfect score from judges. The quartet "Sassy" performed by Macy Kawski, Kelly Lucas, Kyra Taylor and Mckenna Taylor and Senior Danzaco's "Little Red Riding Hood" also received a perfect score at regionals held at the Erie Convention Center. Dancers received scholarships for half-off all national entry fees for their efforts.

The national event was held at Put-N-Bay Ohio. Each of the studio's eight entries made the top five overall highest scores of the event in the appropriate age group. Performing first was Macy Kawski, whose "Spotlight" jazz solo received second place overall in age 7-10 solos. Performing second for Danza! was soloist Kyra Taylor who received the highest rank of high gold for her open jazz solo "21st Century Girl." Mckenna Taylor also received a high gold rank for her musical theatre solo "Show off" from "The Drowsy Chaperone." Mckenna Taylor and Kyra Taylor tied for first place overall for all solos age 10 and under for the entire event.

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Some participants pictured after the first day of competition, from left: Abby Rice, Emma Rice, Kyra Taylor, Macy Kawski, Abby Noonan and Mckenna Taylor.

Class of 2013 Forestville graduate Abby Noonan received a high gold rank for her contemporary solo "Katie Cruel." She also received the first place overall trophy for all senior soloists at nationals.

In duet/trio action Danza! had three entries and all made the top five overall. Second place overall with a high gold rank was the duet "Shake, Rattle and Roll" by sisters Mckenna and Kyra Taylor. It also was the highest scoring dance in the age 7-10 duet/trio open category. Another high gold was given to the jazz trio "Twist my Hips" performed by Macy Kawski, Kyra Taylor and Mckenna Taylor. "Twist my Hips" was the third highest scoring duet/trio of the event and the highest scoring jazz duet/trio in their age category. The fourth highest score overall was given to sisters Emma and Abby Rice for their jazz duet "Sugar and Spice," choreographed by Emma Rice.

Bella Danzaco Company's "Barbie Girl" was the first place open jazz routine in the age 7-10 small group category. Dancers received a high gold rank and were the fourth highest scoring small group dance of the national event. Dancers were awarded numerous trophies, certificates and five scholarships for the 2013-14 competition season. Dancers also participated in master classes in contemporary with Darren MacArthur and Jazz Funk with Nikki Frost.